The Application of Aeroelastic Analysis Output Load Distributions to Finite Element Models of Wind

2005 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy J. Knill
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Fe Model ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades ◽  
Fe Modelling ◽  
Load Distributions ◽  
Aeroelastic Analysis ◽  
Extreme Load ◽  
Application Techniques

The structural design of wind turbine blades is a rapidly evolving technology. Finite element (FE) modelling is used extensively by structural designers to assess the behaviour of wind turbine blades under operational and extreme load conditions. This paper develops a method of transferring aerodynamic and inertial loads from the aeroelastic analysis output to the FE model. Once a procedure is developed and verified, case studies are undertaken using an FE model of a 34m blade. Loads are applied using the newly developed method and various FE analysis results compared to the same blade analysed under more traditional load application techniques. The case study clearly demonstrates that the method of applying loads can influence some types of analysis results significantly.

Predictions of Structural Testing Characteristics for Wind Turbine Blades

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Desmond ◽  
Darris White
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Fatigue Testing ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Structural Testing ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades ◽  
Static Testing ◽  
Extreme Load ◽  
Design Loads ◽  
Certification Requirements ◽  
Blade Loads

Static and fatigue structural testing of wind turbine blades provides manufacturers with quantitative details in order to improve designs and meet certification requirements. Static testing entails applying extreme load cases through a combination of winches and weights to determine the ultimate strength of the blade while fatigue testing entails applying the operating design loads through forced hydraulics or resonant excitation systems over the life cycle of the blade to determine durability. Recently, considerable efforts have been put forth to characterize the reactions of wind turbine blades during structural testing in order to develop load and deflection predictions for the next generation of blade test facilities. Incorporating years of testing experience with historical test data from several wind turbine blades, curve fits were developed to extrapolate properties for blades up to one hundred meters in length. Furthermore, conservative assumptions were employed to account for blade variations due to inconsistent manufacturing processes. In short, this paper will outline the predictions of wind turbine blade loads and deflections during static and fatigue structural testing.

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